Container



1966 A. WHITTAKER 3,

CONTAINER Filed Sept. 22, 1964 INVENTOR. ALVIN WH/ T TAKER United States Patent 3,269,637 CONTAINER Alvin Whittaker, Sierra Matlre, Calif. (2708 Leonis Blvd., Vernon, Calif.) Filed Sept. 22, 1964, Ser. No. 398,840 19 Claims. (Cl. 229-16) This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 332,349, filed December 23, 1963, entitled, Container, now abandoned.

The present invention relates generally to collapsible containers, and more especially to a container which can be made from a single blank of sheet material, such as cardboard, by folding the blank along score lines to define the various walls of a closed container.

Containers of this character may be used for a wide variety of purposes. The container hereinafter described as a typical embodiment of the present invention is particularly adapted to use in department and clothing stores for packaging articles of wearing apparel and similar rnerchandise to be carried away from the store by the custorner. However, it will be understood that the use to which the container is put is not limitative upon the present invention.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a container of novel construction that arrives in the hands of the store clerk or other user completely made up, ready for use. All that is necessary is to insert the merchandise through an open top and then close that top to produce a totally enclosed package.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel construction for a collapsible container which makes possible folding the walls of the container to flatten it after all of the manufacturing operations, such as cutting and gluing and folding, have been completed.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a container that can be filled and closed in a minimum of time. Ease and speed of filling and closing are important for several reasons. Economy is an important one as the time taken by a clerk to package merchandise is part of the cost of using the container, sometimes exceeding the cost of the container itself; and savings here can be very significant.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container of novel construction that is versatile in its uses and can be substituted for both gusset-type bags and clothing boxes, thus making possible a reduction in the kinds of containers required to satisfy the needs of a store. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible container of novel construction that permits the use of a lighter gauge or weight of board than required for other boxes. The reduction in thickness not only reduces cost greatly but also reduces bulk and weight for containers of a given size so that less space is required to store a given number of containers.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible, box-like container that is quickly and easily erected and closed, convenient to carry and modern in appearance.

These objects of the present invention are achieved in a collapsible, rectangular container embodying the present invention by providing a pair of spaced, parallel side walls; a bottom Wall joined to each of the side walls along one of a pair of score lines at opposite sides of the bottom wall; a rectangular flap joined to each side Wall at each of two opposite ends of each side wall, the two flaps joined to one side wall being Wider than the .two flaps joined to the other side wall; pairs of said flaps being fastened together in overlapping relation to form the end walls of the container; and the bottom and end walls having aligned median fold lines whereby the bottom and end walls can be folded in a manner to bring the side Walls together and collapse the container. Two top flaps are provided, one joined to each side wall along the remaining side thereof, both said flaps being flat and including means interlocking the two flaps in overlapping relation in order to form a relatively rigid top wall closing the remaining side of the container and holding the side walls apart.

How the above objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as others not particularly mentioned herein, are attained will be better understood by reference to the following description and to the annexed drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the Hat, cut blank showing the score lines along which the blank is folded to form the final container, except for the handle;

FIG. 2 is an end View showing the container in partially assembled condition;

FIG. 3 is a side and end perspective showing the container in a partially folded and assembled condition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective similar to FIG. 3 showing the container in the fully assembled and erected condition, but with the top open, in which position articles can be inserted into or removed from the container;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of a top wall panel showing the handle therein;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top and end perspective of the container showing the top wall flaps in positions occupied during the procedure of closing the container;

I FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top and end elevation of the fully closed container;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary end elevation showing details of the cutting and assembly of the lower portion of an end wall;

FIG. 9 is a top and end perspective of the bottom of an inverted container showing it as it appears when partially collapsed with the bottom and side Walls partially folded;

FIG. 10 is a front and end perspective showing the portion of the container illustrated in FIG. 8 with the bottom and end walls partially folded, placing the container in a partially collapsed condition; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary front and end perspective of one corner of the closed container with portions of the top wall broken away to illustrate how the top wall flaps are interlocked.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is indicated generally at 10 in that figure the flat blank from which the completed container is formed. The blank is normally cardboard or other easily foldable sheet material and is shown as it appears after it is cut and scored along a number of different lines in order to form the several panels which, upon folding, become the various walls of the'cornpleted container. Referring to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the blank comprises a pair of side wall panels 11 and 12 which are joined together by a bottom wall panel 13 disposed between the two side wall panels and joined to them along score lines 14 and 15, respectively. Thus, score lines 14 and 15 define opposite parallel sides of bottom Wall panel 13.

At the two opposite ends of the bottom wall panel, there are triangular tabs 16 which are each joined to the bottom wall panel along a score line 18. Bottom wall panel 13 is traversed by a median score line 20 parallel to score lines 14 and 15. This score line also crosses triangular tabs 16 and, as will become apparent, forms a fold line about which the bottom wall of the container can be folded to collapse the container.

At opposite ends of each of side wall panels 11 and 12 are a plurality of flaps which become the end walls of the container. Thus narrow end wall flaps 21 are joined to opposite ends of side wall panel 11 along score lines 22, and the relatively wider end wall flaps 23 are joined to the ends of opposite side wall panel 12 along score lines 24 which are in prolongation of score lines 18 and 22. Flaps 21 and 23 are interchangeable, that is, the wider flaps can be attached to side wall panel 11 and the narrower ones to side wall panel 12, if desired; but for convenience in manufacturing, it is preferred that both of the wider flaps be attached to the same side wall panel.

The Width of the end walls of the completed container is substantially equal to the width of the wider flaps 23, and they are, in turn, equal in width to bottom wall panel 13. The wider flaps are each traversed longitudinally by a median score line 26, which lines form fold lines in the end walls about which these walls are folded when the box is collapsed, as will be explained later. The narrower flaps 21 are not wider than half the width of flaps 23 in order that the folding may take place through only a single thickness of the blank.

Each of the four end flaps has at one end, the lower end of the flap when the box is assembled and in its upright position of FIG. 4, a triangular portion 28 joined to the main portion of the end wall flap along a diagonal score line 29. As will be explained further,,these triangular portions are each joined to one-half of a triangular tab 16 and consequently they conform in shape to one-half of a triangular tab 16.

For reasons which will become apparent, the wider end flaps 23 are notched at their lower ends adjoining triangular terminal portions 28, the notch at the end being right angular in shape and formed by cutting back a portion of the side wall to the line 30 so that the notch is coextensive in length with the adjoining side of the triangular portion 28 of the end wall.

So far there have been described the portions of the blank at three sides of the side wall panels. Along the fourth side of each side Wall panel is a flap which becomes the top wall of the assembled container; and each of these top wall panels is preferably of double width so that it may be folded over to provide a double thickness wall which not only reinforces the top wall of the container but also provides for interlocking arrangements, as these top wall panels form the closure means for the container. Thus, along the one edge of side wall panel 11 is top wall panel 32 which is joined to the side wall panel along score line 33. Parallel to the score line 33, the panel 32 has a central score line 34. In a similar manner, the other top wall panel or flap 36 is joined to one edge of side wall panel 12 along score line 37. Panel 36 has a reinforcing portion 36a which is of lesser length than the remainder of the panel but which is joined thereto along central score line 38.

Ateach end of top wall panel 36 is a tab 39 joined to the top wall panel along score line 40. Score lines 40 are in prolongation of score lines 24.

In order to provide for attaching to the container a suitable handle, the top wall panel 32 is provided with two pairs of arcuately shaped slits 42 and 43 which are so disposed that the slits 42 register with each other, as do slits 43, when the panel is folded along longitudinal score line 34; Also to accommodate the handle, panel 36 forming the other top wall is provided with elongate centrally located slits 45 in the main panel portion 36 and also in the folding flap 36a, the two slit 45 registering with one another when the panel is folded along fold line 38. Slits 45 have V-shaped terminal portions, for reasons which will become apparent.

In the formation of the final container, it is preferred to fasten together various elements of the container by applying glue to certain of the surfaces of the blank. However, in the broader aspect of the invention, it will be realized that any suitable fastening means may be used and that the invention is not necessarily limited to glue or other adhesive substances for this purpose. Typically, glue is applied to portions of top wall flaps 32 and 36, end wall flaps 23 and the terminal triangular portions 28 of the end walls, as indicated by the stippled areas in the drawing.

Folding of the blank to form the container will now be described, though it is to be understood that there is no limitation to this particular sequence of operations. It is convenient to form the top wall elements first, while the blank is lying flat. This is accomplished by folding panel 32 along score line 34 to provide a double thickness wall element, the two halves being glued together. This brings slits 42 and 43 into registration with each other. A handle 50 of cardboard or molded plastic or other flexible material is a separate member and is added to the top. The handle 50 is shown particularly in FIG. '5 and is in the form of a strap with barbed ends which can be pushed through the openings provided by slits 42 and 43, the enlargements on the ends of the handle preventing it from being withdrawn readily through the openings.

The other top wall element is then completed by folding over panel 36a to bring the two slits 45 into registration, and gluing the two thicknesses of the wall together to provide a reinforced, double thickness wall. Tabs 39 are then folded over along score lines 40. It will be noted that the glue areas at 51 are smaller than the area of tabs 39, leaving free the edge of the tabs along the free edge of the top wall, as shown in FIG. 6, to form a pocket. Next, assuming that bottom wall panel 13 remains in the position shown, side walls 11 and 12 are bent upwardly around score lines 14 and 15, respectively, as in FIG. 2, into an upright, parallel position, as shown in FIG. 4. The top wall elements typically remain in extension of the side walls, as shown in FIG. 3, although flaps 39 therein have been shown in their original position, for purposes of illustration. Next, the two triangular tabs 16 are folded along score lines 18 to bring them into the upright position, as may be seen in FIG. 8.

To form the end walls of the container, the smaller flaps 21 are first folded through along score lines 22. This brings their terminal triangular portions 28 over against the outside faces ofone-half of triangular tabs 16, as may be seen in FIG. 8. These two members are then fastened together by glue applied to the inner faces of triangles 28. Next, the wide end wall flaps are similarly folded to overlap the outer face of a narrow flap. The wide end wall flaps are fastened to the narrow flaps by glue applied to the inner surface of flaps 23 in the overlapping area, while the triangular portions 28 are similarly glued and fastened to the remaining half of the triangular tabs 16, in the manner previously described. The assembled joint is then as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10.

The container is now completed, being open along its top or upper side. To collapse the container by moving side wall panels 11 and 12 together into substantial contact, the bottom wall and the two end walls are folded along their median score lines 26 and 20, respectively. The Wider end flap has its fold line substantially at the inner edge of the narrow end flap, as may be seen in FIG. 10, so that the end walls are each only a single thickness of cardboard where folded. In the folding, the side walls and end walls both are divided into two halves which fold to form a re-entrant angle, as seen particularly in FIGS. 9 and 10 in which the container is shown in a partially collapsed state. At the intersection of the side and bottom walls, the side walls are bent along fold lines 29 so that the double fold occurs in the side walls and the bottom wall is continuously flat.

When it is desired to use the container, it is erected quickly by inserting a hand into the box and expanding it by moving the side walls apart to the full extent permitted by the width of the bottom and end walls. In this condition, the container appears as shown in FIG. 4 and is ready to receive any article or articles through the open upper side. After the contents are placed in the box, the two top wall panels are folded over to close the open upper side. The panels 32 and 36 are preferably moved into position simultaneously in such a manner that panel 32 can be inserted into the pocket formed between panel 36 and flaps 39, the flaps 39 being bent away from panel 36 in FIG. 6 to show how the flaps form a pocket to receive the panel 32. Engagement of these two wall panels in interlocking relation is facilitated by beveling the forward corners of the panel 32, as shown at 52 in FIGS. 4 and 6. When the two top wall panels are parallel and in engagement, handle 50 may be drawn up through the slots 45 into the carrying position shown in FIG. 7.

It will be appreciated that various changes in the exact design and arrangement of the elements of my improved container may occur to persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the foregoing description is considered as being illustrative of, rather than limitative upon, the invention.

I claim:

1. A collapsible, rectangular container comprising:

a pair of spaced, parallel side walls;

a bottom wall joined to each of said side walls along one of two fold lines located one at each of two opposite sides of said bottom wall;

a rectangular flap joined to a side wall at each of two opposite ends of each side wall, the flaps joined to one side wall being wider than the flaps joined to the other side wall;

pairs of said flaps being fastened together in overlap:

ping relation to form end walls of the container;

said bottom and end walls having aligned median fold lines whereby the bottom and end walls can be folded to collapse the container;

and top flaps joined to each side Wall along the remaining side thereof, said flaps being flat and including an integral portion on one flap forming a pocket receiving a portion of the other flap and interlocking the top flaps in overlapping relation to form a top wall holding the side walls apart.

2. A collapsible, rectangular container comprising:

a pair of spaced, parallel side walls;

a bottom wall joined to each of said side walls along one of two fold lines located one at each of two opposite sides of said bottom wall;

a rectangular flap joined to a side wall at each of two opposite ends of each side wall, the flaps joined to one side wall being wider than the flaps joined to the other side wall;

7 pairs of said flaps being fastened together in overlapping relation to form end walls of the container; said bottom and end walls having aligned median fold lines whereby the bottom and end walls can be folded to collapse the container;

top flaps joined to each side wall along the remaining side thereof, said flaps being flat and including means interlocking the top flaps in overlapping relation to form a top wall holding the side walls apart;

and 'a triangular tab at each of the two ends of the bottom wall and joined thereto along a fold line,

each of said rectangular flaps having a terminal triangular portion defined by a score line overlapping and fastened to one-half of one of the triangular tabs.

3. A collapsible, rectangular container as in claim 2 in which the wider end flaps each have a right-angle notch adjoining and substantially coextensive along one side with the associated terminal triangular portion of the wider end flap.

4. A collapsible, rectangular container as in claim 2 in which the narrower end flaps on the side walls are not more than one-half the width of the bottom wall.

5. A collapsible, rectangular container as in claim 1 which includes integral tabs joined to said one of the top flaps at each of opposite ends of said one of the top flaps folded over against the underside of the associated top fiap and partially glued thereto to form a pocket to receive a portion of the other one of said top flaps.

6. A flat, one-piece blank of cardboard or the like, comprising:

a rectangular, central bottom wall panel;

a pair of similar, rectangular side wall panels each joined to the bottom wall panel along a score line;

a pair of triangular tabs each joined to the bottom wall panel along a score line, said bottom wall panel and said tabs being traversed medially by a single, continuous score line;

a wide end wall panel at each of two opposite ends of one of said side wall panels, each having a width substantially equal to the width of the bottom wall panel and joined to said one side wall panel along a score line;

and a narrow end wall panel at each of two opposite ends of the other of said side wall panels and joined thereto along a score line, each said narrow end wall panel being not more than oneahalf the width of a wide end wall panel;

each of said end wall panels having a terminal triangular portion defined by a score line and equal in size to one-half of said triangular tabs.

7. A flat, one-piece blank as in claim 6 in which each wide end wall panel is traversed longitudinally by a median score line registering substantially with one edge of the terminal triangular portion of the panel, the panel being reduced in width at the terminal triangular portion to half the width at the remainder of the panel.

8. A container formed substantially from a blank of foldable material such as cardboard or the like comprising:

a first panel and a second panel joined together by a bottom wall panel;

a pair of score lines, one between said first panel and said bottom wall panel and the other between said second panel and said bottom wall panel;

tabs in the form of isosceles triangles joined to each end of said bottom wall panel at score lines;

end panels joined to each side of said first and second panels and joined thereto at score lines, the end panels joined to said first panel being wider than the end panels joined to said second panel;

each of said end panels terminating at its lower end in a triangular portion joined to its associated panel by a score line;

said terminal triangular portions being glued to said isosceles triangles;

top panels joined to each of said first and second panels by score lines;

and selected portions of said blank having adhesive material applied thereto whereby on folding the blank about said score lines a rectangular box is formed.

9. A container formed substantially from a blank of foldable material such as cardboard or the like comprising:

a first panel and a second panel joined together by a bottom wall panel;

a pair of score lines, one between said first panel and said bottom wall panel and the other between said second panel and said bottom wall panel;

tabs in the form of isosceles triangles joined to each end of said bottom Wall panel at score lines;

end panels joined to each side of said first and second panels and joined thereto at score lines, the end panels joined to said first panel being wider than the end panels joined to said second panel;

top panels joined to each of said first and second panels by score lines;

one of said top panels having tabs which are folded over against said one top panel and partially glued thereto to form a pocket to receive the other of said top panels for locking said top panels together;

and selected portions of said blank having adhesive material applied thereto whereby on folding the blank about said score lines a rectangular box is formed.

10. A container formed substantially from a blank of foldable material such as cardboard or the like comprising:

a first panel and a second panel joined together by a bottom wall panel;

a pair of score lines, one between said first panel and said bottom wall panel and the other between said second panel and said bottom wall panel;

tabs in the form of isosceles triangles joined to each end of said bottom wall panel at score lines;

end panels joined to each side of said first and second panels and joined thereto at score lines, the end panels joined to said first panel being wider than the end panels joined to said second panel;

each of said end panels terminating at its lower end in a triangular portion joined to its associated panel by a score line;

said terminal triangular portions being glued to said isosceles triangles;

top panels joined to each of said first and second panels by score lines;

one of said top panels having tabs which are folded over against said one top panel and partially .glued thereto to form a pocket to receive the other of said top panels for locking said top panels together;

and selected portions of said blank having adhesive material applied thereto whereby on folding the blank about said score lines a rectangular box is formed.

11. A collapsible, rectangular container comprising:

a pair of spaced, parallel side walls;

a bottom wall joined to each of said side walls along one of two fold lines located one at each of two opposite sides of said bottom wall;

a rectangular flap joined to a side wall at each of two opposite ends of each side wall, the flaps joined to one side wall being wider than the flaps joined to the other side wall;

a triangular tab at each of the two ends of the bottom wall and joined thereto along a fold line;

each of said rectangular flaps having a terminal triangular portion defined by a score line overlapping and fastened to one-half of one of the triangular tabs;

pairs of said flaps being fastened together in overlapping relation to form end walls of the container;

said bottom and end walls having aligned median fold lines whereby the bottom and end walls can be folded to collapse the container;

and a top wall.

12. A collapsible, rectangular container as in claim 11 in which the wider end flaps each have a right-angle notch adjoining and substantially coextensive along one side with the associated terminal triangular portion of the wider end flap.

13. A collapsible, rectangular container as in claim 11 in which the wider end flaps on the side walls are substantially equal in width to the bottom wall and contain the median fold lines in said end Walls, the narrower end flaps on the side walls being inside of the wider end flaps.

14. A collapsible, rectangular container comprising:

a pair of spaced, parallel side walls;

a bottom wall joined to each of said side walls;

a pair of end walls joined to the side and bottom walls;

a top flap joined to each of said side walls along one in which the tabs on said one top flap are each free of the top flap along two adjoining edges of the tab.

side thereof, said flaps being fiat and including means interlocking the top flaps in overlapping relation to form a top wall holding the side walls apart;

and a tab joined to one of the top flaps at each of opposite ends thereof and folded over against the underside of the one top flap and only partially glued thereto to form a pocket to receive a portion of the other of said top flaps.

15. A collapsible, rectangular container as in claim 14 16. A collapsible, rectangular container comprising:

a pair of spaced, parallel side walls;

a bot-tom wall joined to each of said side walls along one of two fold lines located one at each of two opposite sides of said bottom wall;

a rectangular flap joined to a side wall at each of two opposite ends of each side wall;

a triangular tab at each of the two ends of the bottom wall and joined thereto along a fold line;

each of said rectangular flaps having a terminal triangular portion defined by a score line overlapping and fastened to one-half of one of the triangular tabs;

pairs of said flaps being fastened together in overlap ping relation to form end walls of the container;

said bottom and end walls having aligned median fold lines whereby the bottom and end walls can be folded to collapse the container;

and a top wall.

17. A collapsible, rectangular container comprising:

a pair of spaced, parallel side walls;

a bottom wall joined to each of said side walls;

a pair of end walls joined to the side and bottom walls,

each end wall being formed by two overlapping rectangular flaps joined together;

a top flap joined to each :of said side walls along one side thereof, said top flaps being flat and including integral portions interlocking the two top flaps in overlapping relation to form a top wall holding the side walls apart;

and a triangular tab at each of the two ends of the bottom wall and joined thereto along a fold line;

each of said rectangular flaps in the end walls having a terminal triangular portion defined by a score line overlapping and fastened to one-half of one of the triangular tabs.

18. A collapsible, rectangular container as in claim 17 in which one of the two overlapping flaps in each end wall is wider than the other flap, the wider flap having a rightangle notch adjoining and substantially coextensive along one side with the associated terminal triangular portion of the wider end flap.

19. A flat, one-piece blank of cardboard or the like, comprising:

a rectangular, central bottom wall panel;

a pair of similar, rectangular side wall panels each joined to the bottom wall panel along a score line;

a pair of triangular tabs each joined to the bottom wall panel along a score line, said bottom wall panel and said tabs being traversed medially by a single, continuous score line;

an end wall panel at each of two opposite ends of each side wall panels, said end Wall panels together having a total width in excess of the width of the bottom wall panel;

a top wall panel equal in width to the bottom wall panel and joined along a score line to the remaining edge of each side wall panel, each top wall panel having a reinforcing flap having a width substantially equal to the top wall panel and joined thereto at ascore line along the edge opposite the adjoining side wall panel;

and a pair of flaps integral with one of said top wall panels, said last-mentioned flaps being attached one at each of two opposite ends of said one top wall panel and being separated from the adjacent end wall panel.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Manning 22941 X Stone 229 16 Struble 22952 Gatward 22952 X Nute 22941 Conescu 22916 GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COLLAPSIBLE, RECTANGULAR CONTAINER COMPRISING: A PAIR OF SPACED, PARALLEL SIDE WALLS; A BOTTOM WALL JOINED TO EACH OF SAID SIDE WALLS ALONG ONE OF TWO FOLD LINES LOCATED ONE OF EACH OF TWO OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID BOTTOM WALL; A RECTANGULAR FLAP JOINED TO A SIDE WALL AT EACH OF TWO OPPOSITE ENDS OF EACH SIDE WALL, THE FLAPS JOINED TO ONE SIDE WALL BEING WIDE THAN THE FLAPS JOINED TO THE OTHER SIDE WALL; PAIRS OF SAID FLAPS BEING FASTENED TOGETHER IN OVERLAPPING RELATION TO FORM END WALLS OF THE CONTAINER; SAID BOTTOM AND END WALLS HAVING ALIGNED MEDIAN FOLD LINES WHEREBY THE BOTTOM AND END WALLS CAN BE FOLDED TO COLLAPSE THE CONTAINER; AND TOP FLAPS JOINED TO EACH SIDE WALL ALONG THE REMAINING SIDE THEREOF, SAID FLAPS BEING FLAT AND INCLUDING AN INTEGRAL PORTION ON ONE FLAP FORMING A POCKET RECEIVING A PORTION OF THE OTHER FLAP AND INTERLOCKING THE TOP FLAPS IN OVERLAPPING RELATION TO FORM A TOP WALL HOLDING THE SIDE WALLS APART. 